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THE
www.sherborne.com
Feb. 15
Choir and commuters raise over £2,000 for hospice
Sixty members of our Senior Choir joined with thirty pupils from the Gryphon School for a rather unusual carol singing event last term.
Three offers for Oxford
We are delighted to announce that three Sherborne girls have offers to study at Oxford in 2015. IB student and music scholar Eleanor Roda has been offered a place to study Music at St Peter’s College; Charlotte Hayton completed her studies in 2014 and now has an unconditional place to read History at University College and Harriet Smith who completed the IB in 2014 has an unconditional place to read Classics, also at University College.
The combined choirs, together with the Gryphon Brass Ensemble and several staff from both schools, travelled by train in three specially reserved carriages to perform on the concourse of Waterloo Station.
The country’s busiest rail terminal – 270,000 passengers pass through it each day – provided a vast and challenging venue. The girls sang two hour-long programmes throughout the rush hours, interspersed with delightful seasonal tunes from the Gryphon instrumentalists, and attracted a large and appreciative audience. There was also the added novelty of seeing a ‘three-manual’ organ at the station,
FROM THE HEADMISTRESS DEVELOPMENT
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MUSIC & DRAMA TRAVEL & COMMUNITY
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shipped in to accompany the choir and to create a cathedral-like atmosphere amid Waterloo’s constant hubbub.
The musical efforts raised over £2,000 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, which is based in Dorchester.
Director of Music John Jenkins said, “The girls did a fantastic job in producing such lovely music in that huge space, in spite of the very chilly temperature. They clearly brightened up the day for thousands of evening commuters and can be very proud of using their talents to support a charity of such vital importance.” MEET THE STAFF SPORTS NEWS
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From the Headmistress
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community matters
Challenge, university admission departments rated volunteering as the second most important co-curricular activity for university applications. So it is important that our girls understand their responsibility to others. We have a section in our Sherborne Diploma which focuses on contribution to the community and all our students in the Fourth Forms and Lower Fifth have to work out how they can fulfil this obligation. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a service element and girls are able to spend time in local retirement homes, primary schools, hospitals or Brownie packs. At our recent Abbey Service, which was held jointly with Sherborne School, Peter Tait, Headmaster of Sherborne Prep gave an excellent sermon on how we use our freedom. He questioned why as a nation, we ranked 51 out of 65 countries in a poll to find the happiest people. Is it because although we are comfortable, we do not believe in the worth of what we are doing, or we do not have a sense of vocation?
It could be argued that young people today are under more pressure than ever at school: only top grades and a stellar CV are acceptable. In a recent survey by World
Thank you...
Over Christmas girls supported Kids Company by wrapping presents or decorating for their Christmas parties. You can read about the choir singing at Waterloo station for the Weldmar Hospice and other carol singing elsewhere.
I am really pleased that girls see the value of giving their time for others as well as raising money, and our efforts are not just musical. The Lower Fifth spent a Sunday clearing litter from the Sherborne Castle estate following the firework display. Some Sixth Formers supported the Macmillan Biggest Coffee Morning in the World. Our IB girls are raising money to buy an apple press for
adults in Romania, and are travelling there at Easter to teach people how to use it so that the benefit of their work will last for many years. I really believe that in giving we receive, and that helping others in any way can give us a better perspective on where we fit into the community and how we can make an individual contribution to the common good. It gives us confidence and self-belief and a better understanding of ourselves.
I am really proud of all the efforts Sherborne Girls make to give back to the community. It has always been part of the fabric of this school and our among our Old Girl community there are many who have made a real difference in their many and varied endeavours, and we are fortunate that Old Girls will come back and share their experiences with us.
In his sermon on Sunday Peter suggested that freedom should encourage us to think of the community and society above self, to be reflective, to grow a social conscience and live by it. I hope that we can give Sherborne Girls some experiences while at school to set them on this noble path.
Jenny Dwyer, Headmistress
to everyone who joined us for our end of term carol service in Sherborne Abbey. The collection raised a remarkable ÂŁ2,222.60, which is to be divided between two charities: Perspectives and the Sherborne Centre of Wellbeing.
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Feature
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Out & About
Lower Sixth historians had an academic treat when they attended an A Level conference on Tudor history in London. Speakers included Dr John Guy and the very popular Dr David Starkey, who delivered a thought-provoking and highly entertaining lecture on Tudor government.
Economics and Business Studies students visited the MINI car plant near Oxford, where hundreds of MINIs leave the plant’s assembly lines each day. The girls gained an insight into automotive production during a guided tour, from the welding of steel parts into car bodies to the individual interior equipment in the assembly.
Science recognition
Sherborne Girls is delighted to be part of a new science partnership launched between The Ogden Trust and eight education providers in the North Dorset and South Somerset area.
The seven schools and one college are Sherborne Girls, Sherborne School, Sherborne Prep, Gryphon School, Leweston School, Westfield Academy, Wadham School and Yeovil College. Together they have formed a group which is eligible for funding to support projects and activities which will enhance the teaching and learning of physics at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, as
big... Thinking
…are two of our M5 students, Flora Ramsden and Celia McCormick, recipients of this year’s Thinkers Prize. The school essay competition is open to students of all ages, who are required to write from the choice of six different titles. Flora chose ‘The Scottish Referendum’, while Celia opted for ‘Religion has done more harm than good’. Congratulations to them both.
well as supporting the training of future physics teachers.
Sherborne Girls’ Head of Physics Katy Smith is the partnership coordinator and she said, “This is a really exciting opportunity for the partnership to create physics enrichment resources, events and activities which inspire students, teachers and the wider community. I believe that it is important for state secondary schools and colleges to work with each other, and with independent schools. The result is much better opportunities for all students and teachers.”
My work, my passion unesco - The job of my dreams
Tosin Animashawun (DH ‘81) shared her experience of going from working in banking as a risk manager to find the job of her dreams with UNESCO. She described to us more about the role of UNESCO, its links with the United Nations and how Sherborne was an excellent preparation for this varied and exciting role. She impressed upon us the importance of keeping a global perspective.
virgin galactic - A new space age
Rose Kingscote (K ‘02) returned to school to give a talk on ‘The Dawn of the New Space Age’. Rose who works for Virgin Galactic, explained how Virgin are developing the technology to take tourists into space. Rose spoke with the passion which is clearly prevalent throughout the organisation and showed some breath-taking footage of what might be possible in the future.
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The pond was funded by the Annual Fund 2013/14
Development
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The benefits of boarding We are passionate about the benefits of a full boarding education and believe that it can be truly life changing in a very positive way. Our latest partnerships with Springboard Bursary Foundation and Kids Company have started really well and we are committed to trying to support more students for whom a Sherborne Girls education is the right way forward, either through a need to board or the need to nurture a particular talent.
A recent report for Springboard highlighted the really positive ripple effect for students experiencing a boarding education and noted the difference it made to their whole families and home communities.
A number of legacy pledges in support of Candlelight Bursaries along with the sum of £100,000 given as single or regular cash gifts have enabled us to welcome three girls, on Candlelight Bursaries, to our community, and commit to supporting them throughout their education. The scheme offers 100% bursaries for girls with promise from challenging home backgrounds. The school co-funds this scheme with other charities to ensure both transformational education and year round pastoral care.
This academic year two new Candlelight students have joined us, one into Lower Fourth and one into the Sixth Form. Our first recipient is now in Lower Fifth, after two successful years in Aldhelmsted West. In keeping with our Christian ethos our hope is that this scheme can make a genuine difference but we are also grateful for all that these students do to enrich our community.
The Annual Fund 2014/15 – being mailed later this term – continues to prioritise support for The Candlelight Bursaries Fund and we need your continued generous support to help us.
We are now looking for funding for a student to start with us in September 2015. If you feel you can help in any way please contact Laura Weston, Director of Development on lfw@sherborne.com or call 01935 818320. All donations make a difference!
You can make a gift to the Candlelight Bursary Fund, sponsoring a day, a week, a half-term or a term of one of the deserving girls, by visiting www.sherborne.com/development and downloading a Gift Form, or contact the Development Office for a hard copy.
A New Library Collection for Drama
Another legacy, to support our library, has enabled the purchase of a new collection of over 200 books and plays for drama. We are very grateful to Mary Patricia Vile (AE’38) for remembering the school library in her Will.
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A Right Royal Legacy for Music
Our legacy campaign, called Pass on the Light, encourages Old Girls and others to remember the school – a registered charity – in their will. Such gifts can make a transformational difference.
Two years ago, a generous legacy from former Housemistress of Aylmar, Anne Dixon, was used to found the successful appeal for the Hunter organ. In recent weeks, another former member of staff, Gwendoline Muriel Merritt, better known as ‘Queenie’, has left her whole estate to the school; we are the very grateful recipients of over £140,000.
Queenie was for many years a member of the domestic staff in Kenelm, including serving as tea lady for staff and girls. She would often be seen in our Abbey services and Commemoration services wearing her familiar hats and thoroughly enjoying the music and the company. It is fitting therefore that her tremendous legacy to the school will be used to support the planned Arts Centre development at the heart of our site, and will fund a space within the new Centre that will be dedicated in her memory.
For more information on leaving a Legacy to Sherborne Girls, please contact Laura Weston, Director of Development at lfw@sherborne.com or call 01935 818320.
Music & Drama
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Feed me, Seymour! coming soon...
Girls from Aldhelmsted West are currently in rehearsal for the new junior musical. Drama teacher and director Jenny Moore explains, “Based on The Pied Piper, Rats! not only has memorable music, witty lyrics but it features a company of punk rats!” Family and friends are invited to the performances.
Also in rehearsal is The Accordion Shop, which will be performed by girls from the Lower Fifth through to the Lower Sixth, at a special performance at the Salisbury Playhouse on 22 April as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.
Music and Drama dates 5 March Jazz and Blues Evening, Sherborne Girls, 19.30 11-14 March The Accordion Shop, Sherborne Girls 12 March Joint Schools Concert, St George’s, Hanover Square, London, 10.45 19 March Madrigal Society & String Orchestra Concert, Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, 19.30
THIS YEAR’S SENIOR MUSICAL, Little Shop of Horrors, is one of the longest running ‘off-Broadway shows’ of all time; it may not have played for long at Sherborne Girls, but it certainly played to packed houses! The 1950s musical sci-fi spoof featured flower shop employee Seymour (played by Sherborne’s Jack Miller), his co-worker and love interest Audrey (Charlotte Hyde, L6) and a strange and unusual plant which Seymour christens Audrey II (voiced by Sherborne’s Oscar Faulkner and puppeteered by gap student Mackenzie Bennett).
The show was stolen by Audrey II, who, thanks to some clever stagecraft, quickly grew from a small potted plant less than a foot tall to an enormous man and woman-eating venus fly-trap. Fantastic vocal performances were given by all leading players, with special mentions to Annabelle Blackshear, Mamie Colfox, Suubi Kimuli, Melody Lulu-Briggs, Becky Stagg and Georgia Symonds.
Audrey II is, in fact, a carnivore and needs human blood and flesh to grow; Seymour is forced to commit some sinister acts to keep up with Audrey II’s appetite and his growing fame.
Visit from RSC Actor We were delighted to host a second visit from RSC actor Tim Hardy. Tim has been on the faculty of RADA since 1995 where he directs modern texts and Shakespeare, teaches and sits on the audition panel. He came along to Sherborne Girls to share some of his expertise with our sixth form drama students.
The doomed Duchess
20-21 March Junior Musical Production of “Rats” Sherborne Girls 22 March Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestra Concert, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 15.00
Friends of Sherborne Girls are welcome to all of the above events. Please email music@sherborne.com for details.
Congratulations to Grace Longman (L6) who played the leading role in Sherborne School’s senior play The Duchess of Malfi. Head of Drama at Sherborne Ian Reade said it was “a beautifully-controlled and heart-rending performance”.
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Travel & Community
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Learning goes global…
Last year our theme was ‘looking outwards’. As a result we have increased the number of partner schools we work with and there are more exchange opportunities available for girls of all ages ...
Exchanges
Project Romania
International Baccalaureate students will travel to Romania in March to complete a special project. The school is working with the charity White Cross Mission to deliver the Community, Action and Service element of the IB and for this, the girls will set up an apple juice production business for the residents of Bratca. Fundraising efforts are currently underway so the first apple press can be purchased and transported to Romania. The girls will then travel there to help the local community learn how to use it and introduce some marketing and distribution ideas so that the community may be able to start up a viable business. During their week away, the girls will also help in the Centre for Rehabilitation and Convalescence, visit the local hospital and deliver some activities for the local children.
Where are they now?
In the next edition, we will be running a feature on our leavers and what they are doing now. So if you are on a gap year, completing your first year of university or moving into your first job, we would love to hear from you! Please email marketing@sherborne.com with your news, and ideally, a photograph which you are happy for us to share in print and/or online.
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The Lent term saw the arrival of eleven exchange students from three different schools – all within a few days of each other! The girls are all aged 14 or 15 years and from Launceston Church Grammar School in Tasmania, St Peter’s Girls School in Adelaide and St Mary’s School in Johannesburg. For the duration of their stay (four weeks for the Australians and two weeks for the South Africans) the girls followed their UK exchange partner’s timetable, which included the chance to play competitive sport, as well as enjoy a range of trips and visits to some of Somerset and Dorset’s most popular towns and attractions.
Mind the gappie!
Last year’s ‘gappies’, Mackenzie and Becky left at Christmas to continue their studies, but we were delighted that Becky (pictured right) wrote this account of her year just before she returned home to Australia. “One January morning, I found myself on the platform of a quaint train station in a cute little town in Dorset. Sockless and shivering, I was dressed more appropriately for the Canberra summer rather than the Sherborne winter. My duties as a ‘gappie’ took me all over the school; I worked in the school office, the Old Girls’ department, the school shop and the Marketing department. I helped out in Geography, Sport and Learning Support, I
coached netball and I was a teaching assistant in a number of different classes. Yet my favourite time was always that which I spent with the girls.
My time at Sherborne has been the best year of my life so far. I have met some wonderful girls, some amazing staff and made some lifelong friends. It’s good to know there will soon be another gappie taking my place who will have the chance to experience the magic of being at such an amazing school.”
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meet the staff Ben Gudgeon Deputy Head (Co-curricular & Staff Development)
Ben joined Sherborne Girls in January 2015; he comes from Dauntsey’s School in Devizes, where he was Director of Music for three years, and prior to that, Head of Creative and Performing Arts at Churcher’s College in Petersfield.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE JOINING SHERBORNE GIRLS? I studied Music at the Université Paris-Sorbonne and at Bristol University. I then worked professionally for several years as a musician, coach and musical director, and completed an MA in Music at Washington State University. I moved into teaching, completing my PGCE while at Churcher’s College.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO SHERBORNE GIRLS? The reputation of the school was a big draw; Sherborne Girls has a name for academic excellence but is also known for its commitment to co-curricular provision. I have no doubt that full boarding is the best way to achieve excellence in both of these areas. Plus, rumour has it that Sherborne Girls has the best match teas on the circuit!
WHY IS CO-CURRICULAR SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF SCHOOL LIFE? Whether it’s being part of a sporting team, a musical ensemble or an expedition, or participating in a club or a society, co-curricular activities enable pupils to discover their interests and talents while developing values and skills that will prepare them for life. These activities also promote friendships among students from diverse backgrounds and across age groups as they learn, discover and grow together. The co-curriculum also plays a big part in developing a sense of belonging, commitment and responsibility to the school and the wider community.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE AT SHERBORNE GIRLS? Recent studies have shown that, far from being a distraction from work, involvement in groups and activities enhances academic standing. My aspiration is that every girl in the school finds something outside the classroom which motivates her, inspires her and encourages her to flourish during her time at Sherborne Girls.
Why do we need a Chaplain?
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The Rev was asked by one girl when she first arrived seven years ago from working as a vicar in a group of rural churches on the border of Wales. She responds, “For me, a Priest (acting as a Chaplain), my role is to represent the whole community and remind us that we are much loved children of God. And that spiritual growth is as much part of education as our formal exams and assessments.”
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25/10/2012 12:10
Since The Rev arrived as our Chaplain we have enjoyed ‘the God Pod’, been inspired by the Forgiveness Project, experienced challenging but reflective confirmation retreats, contemplated the Abbey by night and embraced a huge range of charitable initiatives. She has even encouraged the staff to take up Dragon Boat racing. No-one would ask why we needed a Chaplain now.
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Netball
The netball term is off to a flying start with L5 girls Isabelle Keating and Millie Ridgers selected for the U14s Somerset Satellite Academy. We are pleased to welcome new coach, Sam Walls who moved to the UK from Australia four years ago to teach PE in London. She has played netball at a national level in her home country and has much experience of coaching both junior and senior squads to a high standard. Sam says, “Netball is a great way to keep fit, learn new skills and have fun with friends. All abilities can experience and enjoy netball and with multiple teams selected in each year group, girls will have plenty of opportunity to play against other schools and clubs, both competitively and socially.�
Cross Country Following the Dorset Country trials at Port Regis we were delighted that six of the squad went forward for selection. The final team has been announced and will compete for Dorset at the South West Regional Championships. Congratulations to Mary Butler (U5) and Georgie Lane (L6) who will represent Dorset in the U19s and Anna Perkins (L5) who will be running for the U15s.
Congratulations to the 1st XI team who ended the season undefeated against some of the strongest schools in the West - the first time the top team has done this for a decade. Well done also to Amelia Fortescue (M5) and Anna Perkins (L5) who were selected to represent their regional performance centres in the England Hockey Tier 1 competition last term.
Biathlon
Our elite swimming programme goes from strength to strength. Having completed Phase 2 of the ASA England Talent Programme, Kayleigh Parker (M5) and Jess Carroll (L5) will find out shortly if they will be among the top five swimmers in their age group to be selected to train and compete for England in Moscow April 2015. Kayleigh is still celebrating her success in the British Gas ASA Winter Championships, where she claimed ten bronze and silver medals and the junior championship trophy in the 400m individual medley.
The Schools Biathlon Championships will be held in the Olympic Park at the end of March and we are delighted that Georgie Lane (L6) has been selected to compete.
Next edition of the
script is due out 20 May 2015
Lacrosse
Three M5 girls have recently made their debut in the 1st XII team as U15 players: well done to Chloe Katon, Tammy Miller and Sophie Hall.
Sports Dates 27 Feb-3 March
National Schools Lacrosse, Surrey Sports Ground
28 February
U15 GSA Netball Tournament
25 April
Senior Swimming Gala
Sherborne Girls, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset T. 01935 818224 E. enquiry@sherborne.com
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